Oscillatory Chloride Efflux at the Pollen Tube Apex Has a Role in Growth and Cell Volume Regulation and Is Targeted by Inositol 3,4,5,6-Tetrakisphosphate

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Abstract
Oscillatory growth of pollen tubes has been correlated with oscillatory influxes of the cations Ca2+, H+, and K+. Using an ion-specific vibrating probe, a new circuit was identified that involves oscillatory efflux of the anion Cl− at the apex and steady influx along the tube starting at 12 μm distal to the tip. This spatial coupling of influx and efflux sites predicts that a vectorial flux of Cl− ion traverses the apical region. The Cl− channel blockers 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid completely inhibited tobacco pollen tube growth at 80 and 20 μM, respectively. Cl− channel blockers also induced increases in apical cell volume. The apical 50 μm of untreated pollen tubes had a mean cell volume of 3905 ± 75 μm3. DIDS at 80 μM caused a rapid and lethal cell volume increase to 6206 ± 171 μm3, which is at the point of cell bursting at the apex. DIDS was further demonstrated to disrupt Cl− efflux from the apex, indicating that Cl− flux correlates with pollen tube growth and cell volume status. The signal encoded by inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(3,4,5,6)P4] antagonized pollen tube growth, induced cell volume increases, and disrupted Cl− efflux. Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 decreased the mean growth rate by 85%, increased the cell volume to 5997 ± 148 μm3, and disrupted normal Cl− efflux oscillations. These effects were specific for Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 and were not mimicked by either Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 or Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5. Growth correlation analysis demonstrated that cycles of Cl− efflux were coupled to and temporally in phase with cycles of growth. A role for Cl− flux in the dynamic cellular events during growth is assessed. Differential interference contrast microscopy and kymographic analysis of individual growth cycles revealed that vesicles can advance transiently to within 2 to 4 μm of the apex during the phase of maximally increasing Cl− efflux, which temporally overlaps the phase of cell elongation during the growth cycle. In summary, these investigations indicate that Cl− ion dynamics are an important component in the network of events that regulate pollen tube homeostasis and growth.